LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Ivy Tech Community College-Lafayette and the Universidad Politécnica de Francisco I. Madero in Hidalgo, Mexico today signed an historic international partnership agreement. The agreement opens up opportunities for the exchange of faculty and students and other collaborations on educational activities.

The delegation from Hidalgo Mexico included Aunard de la Rocha Waite, Minister of Economic Development, Herminio Baltazar Cisneros, Chancellor of Universidad Politecnica de Francisco I. Madero, Rocio Ruiz de la Barrera, Minister of Public Education, and The Honorable Osorio Chong, Governor of the State of Hidalgo, Mexico. Governor Chong is the first Mexican governor to visit Indiana.

The agreement between Ivy Tech Lafayette and Universidad Politécnica de Francisco I. Madero in Hidalgo, Mexico opens up opportunities for the exchange of faculty and students and other collaborations on educational activities.

“This is a very historic accomplishment for the State of Hidalgo and for Ivy Tech Community College,” said Gov. Chong. “Hidalgo is focused on agriculture and technology. Ivy Tech is focused on education. This agreement will benefit the faculty and staff of Ivy Tech and of the (hidalgo university).”

The partnership agreement is the result of letters of intent that were signed by the representatives of the college and endorsed by the Autonomous University of Hidalgo during an agricultural trade mission led by Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman in February 2008.

“The program envisioned here with our friends and colleagues in Hidalgo will allow for the development of our respective college communities and those students we serve to expand their academic knowledge and cultural awareness,” said Dr. David Bathe, Chancellor of Ivy Tech-Lafayette.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public post-secondary institution and the nation’s largest singly-accredited statewide community college system with more than 130,000 students enrolled annually. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.